Perinox developed a fluid treatment line for plant-based biotechnology with crossflow filtration, fermentation, pasteurization, filling, automation and CIP system integration.
Perinox developed a fluid treatment line for an international company specialised in plant-based bioactive ingredients. The project was designed to scale up a plant-based biotechnology process by integrating fermentation, crossflow filtration, pasteurization, filling, automation and a CIP system.
Crossflow filtration enables critical separation, concentration and clarification stages in complex liquid matrices, especially when fluid quality, process efficiency and the preservation of the product’s functional properties are determining factors.
The project responded to a specific challenge: treating plant-based liquid fractions in a line capable of integrating different unit operations under controlled conditions, with clear criteria for safety, repeatability and industrial scalability.
The technological solution
Perinox designed and implemented an integral line for the treatment of liquid fractions in a plant-based process, incorporating storage and fermentation equipment, filtration systems, pasteurization, filling, automation and CIP cleaning.
The solution was conceived to ensure operational stability, process control and industrial scale-up capacity, while maintaining the conditions required for the treatment of high-value bioactive ingredients.
In addition, the integration of these stages made it possible to structure a robust line aimed at preserving product quality, improving operational efficiency and facilitating process transfer to industrial production conditions.
Fluid treatment in plant-based biotechnology
Fluid treatment in plant-based biotechnology requires an integrated process vision. It is not only a matter of moving, heating or filtering a liquid stream, but of designing a line capable of preserving product value and ensuring repeatable conditions at each stage.
In these applications, fluids may present variability in composition, thermal sensitivity, solids content, microbial load and specific stability requirements. For this reason, process design must consider both operational efficiency and the final quality of the fractions obtained.
The objective of the project was to develop a liquid-fraction treatment line capable of ensuring control, stability and efficiency from the initial fermentation stages through to final product conditioning.
An integrated line for biotechnological processes
The solution implemented by Perinox integrated different equipment and unit operations within a coherent process line.
The system included storage and fermentation tanks, designed to ensure controlled and repeatable conditions; filtration systems aimed at phase separation and the production of liquid fractions with specific functional properties; pasteurization processes to ensure microbiological safety; and filling lines adapted to high-value products and sensitive formulations.
The integration of these stages helps improve process continuity, reduce critical operating points and facilitate quality control during production.
Crossflow membrane filtration in biotechnological processes
Crossflow membrane filtration is particularly relevant in biotechnological processes where fluids must be separated, concentrated or clarified without compromising product functionality.
Unlike other separation schemes, crossflow filtration works with a flow parallel to the membrane surface, reducing solids build-up and supporting a more stable operation over time.
Depending on the separation objective, this type of line can integrate membrane technologies such as microfiltration or crossflow filtration, aimed at clarifying, concentrating or stabilizing complex liquid fractions.
In plant-based applications, these technologies can contribute to the controlled separation of liquid fractions, the reduction of unwanted particles, the concentration of compounds of interest and the improvement of process stability. Their application must be defined according to fluid composition, separation objective, expected performance and required operating conditions.
In addition, process stability depends on variables such as transmembrane pressure, permeate flux, fluid composition and fouling control. For this reason, fouling and permeate flux control is essential to maintain an efficient, repeatable operation that can be transferred to industrial scale.
Separation, concentration and valorization of bioactive ingredients
Plant-based bioactive ingredients require processes capable of preserving their functional value and ensuring consistent quality.
In this type of project, phase separation, clarification and fluid conditioning are critical stages for obtaining useful, stable fractions suitable for subsequent process operations.
The combination of fermentation, membrane technologies, controlled heat treatment and automation supports the transition towards more efficient production models, capable of transforming biotechnological developments into viable industrial solutions.
This approach is especially important when the final product has high added value and requires strict conditions for safety, traceability and repeatability.
Automation, CIP system and operational reliability
One of the critical factors in the project was the integration of an automated CIP system, designed to meet the hygienic requirements of biotechnology.
The CIP system enables repeatable and validated cleaning cycles, reduces water and chemical consumption, increases operational availability and reinforces process safety.
Full line automation provides continuous control over critical parameters, facilitates traceability and enables the system to adapt to future expansions or adjustments in the production process.
In plant-based biotechnology, this combination of cleaning, control and automation is essential to maintain stable conditions and reduce operational variability.
Industrial scale-up and technology validation
Taking a biotechnological development from laboratory scale to industrial scale requires validation of fluid behaviour, operating parameters and the integration of each process stage.
Industrial scale-up does not depend only on equipment size. It requires understanding how liquid matrices behave, how separation evolves, which conditions best preserve the product and how to maintain efficiency, safety and quality during production.
In high-demand projects, pilot plant development makes it possible to validate fluid behaviour, test operating conditions and obtain data that can be transferred to final production scale.
For this reason, technology validation and the design of process lines adapted to each application are key elements for reducing risk before industrial implementation.
In this project, fluid treatment acted as the central axis connecting fermentation, separation, stabilization and filling within a robust and scalable solution.
Technology applied to sustainable biotechnology
The plant-based industry requires solutions capable of combining production efficiency, sustainability and final product quality.
In this context, process engineering, crossflow filtration, industrial automation and CIP systems are key enablers for developing more robust biotechnological solutions that can be transferred to industrial scale.
The collaboration between a leading company in the sector and Perinox as technology partner made it possible to transform a process challenge into an efficient solution, aligned with sustainability principles and aimed at strengthening the industrial viability of high-value natural bioactive ingredients.
Perinox as a technology partner for plant-based biotechnology
Perinox develops technological solutions for the treatment of industrial fluids, integrating engineering, equipment design, automation, process validation and industrial scale-up.
In plant-based biotechnology projects, this experience enables companies to be supported from process definition through to the implementation of industrial lines adapted to sensitive products, complex matrices and strict quality requirements.
The ability to combine membrane technologies, heat treatment systems, CIP, automation and hygienic design makes it possible to deliver solutions aimed at improving the efficiency, sustainability and competitiveness of biotechnological processes.
In high-added-value applications such as plant-based bioactive ingredients, technology decisions must consider production volume, fluid value, operational efficiency and scalability. These factors are decisive when defining investment criteria for filtration technologies.
Crossflow filtration in plant-based biotechnology should not be understood as an isolated technology, but as part of a process architecture capable of connecting separation, stability, safety and industrial scalability.
